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The Environment Site Green Living Guides
Eco Friendly NappiesIf you want to use fewer nappies you'd be better off having a girl. By the age of two-and-a-half 90 per cent of girls but only 75 per cent of boys are out of nappies. Clearly this is not something that we can choose, but we do have a choice as to what sort of nappy to buy.
The main choice in nappies is between disposables, which are the most popular, and reusables, which are generally assumed to be the eco-friendly option. But this eco-choice is not as clear as it appears.
Certainly, reusable nappies mean that much less waste is sent to landfill - around 2.5 billion nappies are thrown away in the UK each year (about 7 million a day). This accounts for 2.4 per cent of all household waste. On the other hand, reusable nappies use far more energy in washing and drying and are therefore worse for climate change.
Also, disposable nappies are less bulky than they were: there has been a 40 per cent reduction in the volume of material used in the last 15 years. In part this has been achieved by using an extremely absorbent gel which soaks up the liquid and keeps the baby dry.
However, this gel is made of a plastic material, which doesn't rot and so adds to the debate about nappy biodegradability.
Another issue to consider is that the pulp used in nappies comes from forests. Nappy manufacturers should be making sure all the pulp is FSC-certified, guaranteeing it comes from sustainable sources.
Most people think it would be a good thing for nappies to biodegrade in landfill sites. Disposable nappies are certainly more biodegradable than they were: an unused nappy is around 50 per cent biodegradable, whereas a used one is on average 80 per cent biodegradable.
But laws covering landfill sites are aimed at reducing the amount of biodegradable waste put into them. The greenhouse gases released from the rotting waste are difficult to capture from this source.
The good news is that nappies can be composted in industrial systems that collect the methane released, which can then be used for fuel.
This approach is being developed in the Netherlands, and there's no reason why it couldn't also work in the UK. Currently, 90 per cent of our disposable nappies end up in landfill sites. I think manufacturers - and local government - should be doing a lot more to change this by helping to set up composting systems for biowaste, including nappies.
Whilst the eco-credentials of disposables come down to the design of the product, for reusables it's largely down to the user.
Unfortunately, nappies are a bit of an exception in that they need to be washed at 60°C to get rid of the nasty bacteria. But if you use a disposable liner in a reusable nappy, or put the nappy in bleach before washing, you can put them in a 40°C, or even a 30°C wash like the rest of your clothes. Most of all, avoid using tumble dryers because they'll eliminate any eco-benefit you may have accumulated.
As we all know, nappies can be very smelly, and a lot of people are meticulous about wrapping them up in plastic bags, sometimes in multiple layers. If you're out and about this may make sense.
But at home I think putting them directly into a bucket with a lid, and emptying it regularly, should be enough. And there's absolutely no point in buying degradable bags for your partially biodegradable nappy that's on its way to landfill.
My verdict: I'm afraid the choice between disposable and reusable nappies is not clear-cut. You have to decide whether you're more concerned about waste, in which case you'd choose reusables, or climate change, in which case you'd go for disposables.
If you go for disposables, it's worth asking the manufacturer about their policy on sustainable forestry and promoting composting systems. If systems were in place to collect biogas from disposable nappies, I think they'd be a clear winner over reusables in terms of their eco-impacts. Comments (26) 14.05.2007. 04:41 10 ways to make your sex life greenerAre you wondering what more you can do to help the planet? You take your bike to work, eat organic, but want to do more. At long last we have looked into one of humanity’s favourite pastimes and uncovered the passion that can make a difference for our environment. You can be a bomb in bed without nuking the planet.
1. Turn off the lights.
 We all have to do our part to stop climate change, energy reduction and energy efficiency are an important part of changing our energy culture. If you want to see your partner, or what you are doing, have sex during the day.
2. Passion for fruit?
If you like to use produce to get the blood boiling, make sure it is GE-free. There have not been enough studies on genetically engineered foods to know what the effects on our diets will be, let alone the affects of using it for more intimate activities.
3. Oysters and other shellfish can be potent aphrodisiacs...
..but our oceans are being destroyed at an unprecedented rate - we need to stop plundering for pleasure. Instead you can support sustainable community-based operations in the Amazon rainforest choosing from two popular and plentiful herbal and fruit drinks, guaraná and caju, for more than just a clean conscience.
4. Is your yard a safe place to do the deed? Forget about the nosy neighbours, are you using pesticides and chemical fertilisers on your lawn and garden? Would you really want to set your bare bottom on weed killer? Make the switch to natural fertilisers and pest management, and take a roll in the hay.
5. Forget the fossil fuel based lubricants like petroleum jelly!
Esso's screwing the planet, but you don't have to.
6. Have you got something more than a good time up your sleeve.=?
Could it be polyvinyl chloride? Ditch the PVC and vinyl accessories for your playtime. The production of PVC creates and releases one of the most toxic chemicals - dioxin. You also don't want to be sucking on that stuff. The use of PVC in young childrens toys has already been banned in many countries. Instead, opt for accessories made from natural substances like rubber or leather.
7. Helping the planet can be an arousing activity.
Soap up together in the shower or bath to save water and create passion for more than the environment. More than one billion people do not have access to clean water, it is a luxury, and should definitely be shared with a friend.
8. Think of the trees
Ok, Im not sure what you would use them for, never done so myself, ahem, but if you wanted some paddles for something other than rowing, please, for gods sake, make sure they are made from sustainably harvested timber. Look for timber, paddles, whatever, certified by the only internationally recognised ecological forest certification organisation, the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC.
9. Act Green
Role playing games can be fun as long as both partners are consenting and comfortable with the boundaries. So if you and your partner want to dress up and play "George Bush and Corporate America at the Earth Summit" or other S&M style games, agree on what's permissible and what's not up front. And remember that games - like fantasies - are not real life.
10. Make love, not war.Comments (5) 26.10.2006. 07:40 Guide to Buying a Green Wardrobe Here's the irony: fashion is ephemeral while fabric and pollution are not. After all of the inspiration, image-making, and excitement pass, the clothes remain. Pouf skirts. Acid-washed denim. M. C. Hammer pants. They're out there still, in closets, thrift stores, and land fills. Eco-savvy fashion choices mean not only reducing post-consumer refuse, but also pre-consumer waste and pollution. After its origins on the farm, forest, or oil field, that jacket spent some time morphing into its present form. What chemicals were used to grow it? Were the dyes safe? As more designers and manufacturers create with eco-concerns in mind, it's easier to find satisfying answers. Through smart wardrobe management and consumer choices, you can cut down on closet clutter, support clean industry, and look fabulous.
Top 10 tips to buying a Green Wardrobe
1. Shop with a plan
When you bring an article of clothing into your life, it’s kind of like adopting a dog or cat. That cute little number has to have a place in your wardrobe, and you’re agreeing to provide for and give it the longest possible life with you. Abandoning the impulse buy may sound boring, but how exciting is a closet full of stuff that doesn’t work? In the long run, knowing what you're looking for before you shop will save time and eliminate clutter. You'll get more use out of a piece that looks and feels great: What colors work for you? What fits work the best? How will the piece get along with everything else in the closet? If the answer to "Will I still want to wear this rhinestone-studded bustier in two years?" or “Can I eventually find a way to use it in a craft project?” is no, skip it.
2. Love your duds
Whatever you've chosen, take good care of it. When you get home, change out of work gear and into your famous dressing gown or leisure suit. Don’t cook or check the tire pressure in clothes you want to wear in public. Learn how to sew a button back on, or how to coax a nimble friend into doing it for you. Get the name of a local tailor or seamstress for major repairs or alterations.
3. Don't go dry
Though the industry has improved much since 1992, there is still a high likelihood that your trusty corner cleaner uses perc (tetrachloroethylene), a known carcinogen. See if there is a local green cleaner employing "wet cleaning" or liquid CO2 techniques. Many articles whose tags ask for the dry clean treatment can actually be hand washed, especially silk, wool and linen.
4. Buy vintage or used
People unload clothes for all types of reasons, and you know that adage about trash and treasure. From Oscar-worthy vintage dresses to Freecycled denim, you can likely find the piece you’re looking for second hand. You’ll be giving a cast-off garment a second life, and possibly supporting charitable work in the process.
5. Wash well
Washing wreaks the most havoc of all. It requires lots of water and energy, so only do it when you absolutely need to and have a full laundry load. Turn articles inside out and use the lowest temp possible. If you know you glowed all over a piece, make a thin salt paste and soak the affected fabric for a half hour before washing. Choose phosphate-free and biodegradable detergents and line dry as much as possible. Treat stains quickly with nontoxic removers. If you’re buying a new washing machine, look for one with an Energy Star label.
6. Wear organic
Though cotton is marketed as clean, fresh, and natural, conventional varieties are anything but. It takes a third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the cotton for one T-shirt! That means lots of direct, unhealthy exposure for farmers and nearby wildlife, and heaps of unnecessary pollution. Ick. Luckily, organic cotton is becoming easier and easier to find. As mega-stores get into the game, however, it’s important to stay vigilant about what organic means, so you know you’re really getting clean clothes. Also know that though the cotton may have been organic to start with, your T may be full of processing chemicals and metal-laden dyes.
7. Find a re-purpose
A re-purposed garment used to be another or many other articles. Designers all over the globe have taken on this transformative challenge in recent years, with very wearable results. This means a one-of-a-kind look for you, a new life for old fabric, and a livelihood for maverick re-users.
8. Approach new fabrics with skeptical enthusiasm
No doubt you’ve heard the hype around bamboo, soy, or even corn fabric. The idea of finding alternatives to petrochemical-based and conventionally grown options makes us all perk up and we see why many eco-conscious designers are excited about them. Bamboo, for instance, sounds great: it’s a fast-growing plant, not reliant on chemicals, and beautifully drapes the human form. Trouble is, bamboo plantations can displace native forests, and the harvesting and fiber processing are often polluting and unregulated. As with soy, corn, and Tencel (which comes from trees), the processing from plant to fabric is energy and resource intensive. For now, approach these as alternatives to poly, nylon, acrylic or conventional silk and await more info. As always, shop with a plan: don’t fill multiple shopping bags just because the labels say “eco.” Read more about fabric choices below.
9. Choose clothes that work for you
It’s hard to feel beautiful in your raw silk dress when it’s likely that children’s scalded hands were part of the production chain. Conventional clothing might not say it, but clothing made under fair-wage and labor practices will usually advertise it. SweatShop Watch and Behind The Label are good sources of info.
10. Don’t throw it all away
Finally, a stain, a tear, or changing fashion threaten to separate you from your favorite dress shirt. Don’t just abandon your old friend to the waste-stream! If the condition is perfectly good, you can always donate or Freecycle it. Comments (1) 26.10.2006. 04:40
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